It is strictly regulated.
Open burning in Washington is permitted only under stringent conditions set by state and local authorities, with most residential burning banned under the Washington Department of Ecology’s air quality standards. The 2026 Clean Air Rule amendments tighten oversight, requiring burn permits from regional clean air agencies for agricultural or land-clearing burns. Violations may trigger penalties under the State Implementation Plan for ozone nonattainment areas.
Key Regulations for Open Burning in Washington
- Permit Requirements: Open burning requires prior authorization from local clean air agencies (e.g., Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, Southwest Clean Air Agency) or the Department of Ecology, except for recreational fires under 2 feet in diameter.
- Prohibited Materials: Burning garbage, plastic, rubber, or treated wood is illegal statewide. Only natural vegetation from land clearing or agricultural burns may qualify, contingent on fuel moisture and wind conditions.
- Seasonal Restrictions: Burning is typically prohibited during air quality alerts (e.g., summer wildfire season) or in designated nonattainment zones like the Seattle-Tacoma ozone area, enforced via real-time monitoring.